History
The History of Rewind
REWIND is a project located within Sandwell Primary Care Trust (formally the health Authority). The project as it stands now is the culmination' of over 24 years of work addressing racism(s) by the current Development Manager through Youth work, Community work, Community Development Work and Health Promotions; with the work being heavily influenced by the anti-racism work of international speaker Paul Obinnah Wilson-Eme. The work has grown from a 'grass roots' detached youth work project in Tipton to an internationally recognised project supported by, among others, the Home Office, National Youth agency, Runneymede Trust and endorsed by the Institute for 'Race' relations.
The project began with funding from Regeneration in Sandwell, and then further funding from Sandwell Children's Fund, The Community Cohesion Pathfinder Programme and The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.
What is Rewind all about?
REWIND is anti-racism work with a difference. Our work is based on exposing the myths that have been created around issues of 'race' and racisms using factual and practical evidence to expose these myths. The foundation of the work takes a more in-depth approach to tackling racism than the 'multi-cultural' approach, which although it has its place, does not challenge deep seated racist beliefs; for example, multi-culturalism would support learning about each others faiths and cultures as a means of addressing racism, ask yourself the question 'what impact does this actually have in people still reverting back to the same stereotypes and foundations of difference that fuel racisms.?' REWIND therefore deconstructs 'race' itself, the very foundation of most racisms, as a false social construct.
Racisms are largely supported by myths, stereotypes, lies, exaggerations, selective amnesia, half truths etc. that enable it to continue;
unless the origins of these are challenged and deconstructed, no amount of equal opportunities or multi-cultural policies will have an effect on racisms and inequality, because the root of why people think the way they do is still grounded in these myths, stereotypes, lies etc; it will not cause someone to think "because that person is Muslim or black they are still not X" - which is where the stereotypes, derogatory statements or negative ways of thinking come in.
REWIND looks at challenging the origins of these by firstly showing them as a false social construct, looking at how they were created hundreds of years ago and highlighting how they are still with us today, then deconstructing them by using practical and factual examples, such as DNA evidence from the human genome programme, academia, general media articles, audio tapes, everyday situations etc.
This allows people to have another side to the story that they may not have been given before; and although people may not believe they have bought into these myths stereotypes and lies, everyday examples show that often many of us have without even being aware of it.
The discipline of psychology says you need to understand the past to be able to deal with the present or the future, this is the same approach taken here.
Quotes
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Racisms
Racisms are largely supported by myths, stereotypes, lies, exaggerations, selective amnesia, half truths etc. that enable it to continue;
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Head teacher of Hateley Heath primary school
"Your approach was fresh and exciting and you actually involved all our children in your presentation. I was particularly impressed with your approaches to tackling cultural issues …. The science perspective certainly "fired up" the older children who (later) engaged in quite a detailed debate about genetics! I have no difficulty in recommending this work to other schools" (Year 5 and 6 pupils) -
Puplis from Hateley Heath School
I would recommend Rewind to other Primary Schools to help them understand more about racism and to help decrease racism towards other pupils. The videos we used were filled with useful information packed in and it was brilliant to watch. I have learnt a lot of things and I enjoyed working with Denise and Sahida. -
Puplis from Hateley Heath School
I really enjoyed working with Rewind. Denise, Sahida and Dave made things very clear about not to be racist. I learnt a lot from Rewind and found out that only 6 genes control your skin colour. I recommend other schools invite Rewind to help people to understand that racism is not a nice thing. In fact, it is horrible and disgraceful. The videos and photographs that Rewind showed were amazing and very informative. The Rewind group are very enthusiastic and appreciate them coming and helping us. -
George Salter High School, Y. Norton, Teacher of Geography
"REWIND sessions were suitable for all pupils as it catered for the needs of differing learning styles, such as the use of video's, group work, movement around the room..... It tackled racism well by letting pupils make decisions on particular aspects of racism..... I would not hesitate to recommend other schools or groups to undertake REWIND training" (Year 7 pupils). -
University of Birmingham, Youth community play and youth program student
"undoubtedly this is the best module I have attended so far. The tutors were 'spot on' with their approach" (comments from student) -
Willingsworth High School, Year 8
"People who discriminate are just insulting themselves because there is only one race" -
George Salter High School, Year 8 pupil
"it showed that white, black and Asian people are all related" -
Great Bridge Primary School, Year 5 pupil s
"there is only one race, the human race" "we learnt about that thing in our skin that makes us different colours (melanin)" "we learnt that we can all be related" -
Arun Kundnani Institute of Race Relations
In taking this approach, REWIND is distinctive. It does not touch on standard discussions of cultural awareness, or celebrating diversity. Unfashionably, yet effectively, REWIND does not give you a better understanding of different religions or expose you to the usual pantheon of multi-cultural role models and artifacts. Its aims simply to undo racism by going back to it's origins (hence 'REWIND') and raising awareness of that history, rather than the history of any specific culture. ….for people who experience racist abuse themselves; REWIND appears to offer a kind of strategy for dealing with racist situations. A graduate of the REWIND course was able to turn the tables on a teacher at a Catholic School who used the phrase 'dirty Arab' by asking her what part of the world Jesus was born in. Another group of girls explained how the training had given them the confidence to speak back when they were told to 'go back to their own country'. Now they reply that being born in Britain makes them more British than half of the Royal family. In the absence of a strong, collective campaign against racism in the area, personal survival strategies like this are significant ways of coping on a day-to-day level.
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